The holidays brought us down, physically. We closed our little shop on December 3rd and the our littlest kiddo got sick the next morning. We had a long month of sickness at our house. Although it wasn't officially diagnosed, I'm pretty sure both of our kids ended up with influenza.

In spite of it all, we still managed to throw in some holiday cheer.

Our oils, without fail, ease us through whatever ailments come our way. We tend to plow through bottles during the winter months. We keep Peppermint and Frankincense on hand for fever ridden bodies, Thieves and Oregano for immune boosting, Melrose and Melaleuca for infections and too many more to list. It makes my job as a Mama easier knowing that there are some basic oils to keep on hand to keep my family healthy and happy.

I've decided with the big changes in our world to keep educating people about the uses of essential oils and sharing the simple knowledge that I have, as well as the testimonials I've acquired over the years. The most simple way to do this is via the interwebs. I will be holding some classes in an on line meeting place, and the first one will be at no cost to attendees. I am capping the class at 15 participants to make sure I have adequate time to answer questions that arise, but I will hold many more, if the response is positive. The problem with this forum and aromatherapy is the most important sense cannot be exercised. "Beginning Essential Oils" will be a basic intro course on how to use essential oils for personal and family wellness. In spite of not smelling through your computer speakers, if you'd like to join the class it will be held on February 19th at 7pm MST. Please contact me for sign-up info.

2. If you place an order in my oil store during the month of February that is $50, or more (before shipping and sales tax), I will mail you a free bottle of Lemon Essential Oil. If' you'd like some assistance placing your order please message me.

3. If you want a free reference guide, sign up as a member this month by contacting me.

Side note: There is a new reference guide app available via the iTunes store or your Google Play Store - it is $6.99 and I am really excited about it - what a fantastic reference to have at your finger tips.

I'm teaching a class at my little store right now and I've put together a kit of 10 oils that I believe I (we) couldn't live without, that I'm sharing with interested folk who are on the brink of incorporating oils into their lives. I feel honored to be sharing information about what is working for our family. I feel blessed to have had the experiences I have over the years to reach a point where I'm comfortable sharing.

I wanted to share my "short list" in this space with each of you. Since each person in attendance is receiving an small kit of their own, I've left out a few of my favorites that didn't fit into the price range. Frankincense (my favorite oil of all time), the Deep Relief Roller, and Helichrysum are the extras. There are a hundred more I wish I could include, but if I have to pick favorites...

Valor: (also available in a roller) courage, alignment of the body (physically & emotionally), nightmare remedy, overcome fear, calming, used for ADHD, relieves pain, aligns the spine (chiropractor in a bottle), balances energy within the body, protects

I apologize for the lack of punctuation. I pulled these directly from my notes and this is what I gave each attendee. We will be holding classes throughout the year and we happen to have one more that is scheduled and not full. February 11th at 9:30am has some availability. I will try and remember to post on our oil Facebook page when more classes will be held. And I will most certainly schedule the events on our toy shop Facebook page if you'd like to follow there as well.

I have been meaning to get this list out for years, I finally had it all in one place, and punctuation or not, it was getting published on this blog. I will choose one of these oils, each month of this year, to dedicate an entire post to, starting in February. In order to make it through said list, I will double up a few months...this...will also force me to come here and share. I will leave you with another precious photo of the sweet gems I share these oils with.

It might just be one of the saddest things when your baby or big kid has a fever. More often than not parents feel really helpless. What can you do?

Fever is an increase of the body's core temperature, typically in response to an infection or injury. A fever is the body's natural response to help enhance the immune system's ability to fight the infection.

I welcome a fever if my kids aren't feeling well. How else will your body rid itself of the attacking crud? When I say 'welcome' I mean with caution, of course. Nobody knows your kiddo better than you do. You'll know when/if it is time for some fever reducer.

This might just be the perfect time for me to introduce one of my favorite books - I use this book when my kiddos have ailments, and I'm not sure what I can do to help them, before turning anywhere else.

The offering of alternative methods of treatment in this book is comforting/refreshing to me. In our world filled with western medicine this book suggests herbal remedies, homeopathic remedies, and an array of options for each ailment it houses.

Now back to that fever...

Here are some simple things I do. I love using Frankincense for a fever, especially for aches. I apply it to the neck and chest when my kids are feverish. I used this once during a vaccination reaction (high fever, vomiting and scary zoning) and it seemed to be the best thing I could've done for Simon (and myself).

If the fever is reaching a point that I feel is dangerous (over 103) I usually run a cool bath and submerge my naked kid in it. That almost always works. If they are in a delicate situation and you aren't wanting to move them, cool rags on a little naked body can also do the trick. To pull the fever - you want to use Peppermint oil on the bottoms of the feet. This oil can be very intense however, so use with caution. If you are near a water source or just getting out of the bath make sure your skin is nice and dry before you apply and keep away from eyes. If you get in a sticky situation you can always dilute with olive oil or another edible oil that you have on hand.

I also use Lemon, Bergamot and Eucalyptus Radiata to cool the system when dealing with a fever. There are many oils that you can use in case you don't happen to have Peppermint on hand but I've found it to be the most effective when cooling the body. You can use it frequently too. It isn't quite the same as using a fever reducer, you don't have to wait 8-12 hours before you use it again.

Now if you are hoping to encourage the fever, maybe you'd like to slightly raise it to burn out the bad guys, here are some suggestions. I always like to make sure you know I'm not a doctor, so I throw it in almost every post, do these suggestions with caution. Here is what I do, and as I mentioned before you know best how to care for your child...so maybe this doesn't work for you. I like to put Thieves, or Clove or Cinnamon Bark on my kids if I'm wanting their fever to bump up just a notch. What I'm hoping for when I do this is that the fever will reach a point and induce a sweat. Others oils you can use are Lavender, Basil, Melaleuca or Roman Chamomile.

Other suggestions: crushed garlic and/or onions in socks right up against the bottoms of feet is a great fever reducer and a perfect way to cook onions. It is stinky, obviously, but has worked at our house before.

Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration. Popsicles are encouraged at our house. Cool socks around ankles, wet socks on feet and on the back of the neck are great tools to keep a fever at bay.

And, most importantly of all, so many snuggles are at the top of the list of things will make that babe of yours feel better.

I'm generally pretty careful on this blog about my opinions on things. I will start off by reminding everyone that I am no doctor, I'm "only" a Mama, partner, friend, lover of natural medicine, and avid essential oil user. We rarely get sick in our house. We almost never go to the doctor. We've been incredibly lucky to never have conditions, illnesses, or anything more serious than the flu, colds, and occasional injuries. I know this isn't the case for all, but I firmly believe there is a time to go to the doctor and a time to ride it out. I hate going to the doctor. I hate taking my kids there more than myself, simply because hospitals and doctors' offices are so germ-ridden. You are almost sure to pick something up, especially if your immunities are already down. Little hands like to touch everything. As long as you have a healthy person to watch over you, let your cold or flu run its course at home.

Remember you have the most amazing tools right at your finger tips. Any local health food store has a wide array of homeopathic medicines that are great for fighting sickness. We love our Oscillococcinum. We have doses of this for big people and little in our "medicine" cabinet at home, always available. We have some homeopathic remedies that we use for coughs, gas, belly aches, cramps and other common ailments that arise from time to time with school-aged children. We also use a lot of tinctures, teas, herbal remedies and food to keep us healthy. Garlic, onions, broth, citrus fruits, & honey are all foods we keep our winter home stocked with. Even dark chocolate is said to aid a cough - who wants to deny that?

Remember how I said I was careful in that first paragraph - well I have a really strong opinion about the flu shot - and I'm about to stray from that careful space. The most 'wonderful' time of the year has arrived. Colds abound, flus abound, and flu shot ads are flying around like CRAZY! So many health professionals recommend it, every radio station is talking about where you might track one down, elderly and pregnant mamas get first dibs - to be completely honest it makes me cringe. I have only had the flu once - that I'm aware of. I lost 15 pounds in a week and laid on my mom's couch motionless - I couldn't even call myself into work - I missed a week of classes (I was in college); I checked out. When I felt well again I had no idea how much time had passed. My mom didn't take me to the doctor - for which I'm grateful - but I'm pretty sure that was the flu. I don't have time to be knocked down like that these days. You think when you are college you are 'so busy' but when you have kids you are so busy!

What does this shot protect you from? Here is what the CDC says. Here is something else I found on their site. "Findings from early data suggest that this season’s vaccine so far is reducing the risk of having to go to the doctor for influenza by about 60% for vaccinated people. The data are published in “Early Estimates of Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness — United States, January 2013,” in the January 11, 2013, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report."

What I gather from this is that you can get a shot and flip a coin. Or, you can not get a shot and boost your immune system during these months. Injecting bits of the past flu viruses that have passed through our country and possibly getting sick, from that action alone, seems asinine. Maybe you'll get the flu. Maybe you won't. Maybe you'll get it because you got the shot. Many people, I personally know, have told me that they got the shot and were sicker that season than they've ever been in their lives.

There is no guaranteed protection. This also comes from the CDC: "Flu viruses are constantly changing so it's not unusual for new flu viruses to appear. CDC analyzes influenza viruses that are circulating each season to see whether they are like the viruses included in that season's vaccine. This so-called “antigenic characterization” data is published weekly in FluView. So far, most of the influenza viruses that have been analyzed at CDC are like the viruses included in the 2012-2013 influenza vaccine. However, some influenza B viruses that have been analyzed by CDC do not match the influenza B virus included in the 2012-2013 vaccine." Maybe that shot won't give you the antibodies that you need, and you'll get a brand new flu.

Maybe you'll get the super flu! I don't want that for you, or your kids.

Here are my little loveys...I'll take any opportunity I can get to throw a photo of them in. Oooh - How about smack dab in the middle of this sick blog post?

Oh man, aren't they cute?!

Here is what we've been doing the past 2 weeks. We got a letter from the school saying last "Tuesday 49 children called in sick". I can tell my boys are right on the brink of coming down with a cold, but I've decided to keep it at bay for now. We've upped our doses of Vitamin C, ever so slightly. We're taking Vitamin D, and have been since the sunshine doesn't show her pretty face as frequently during the fall/winter months. We're taking pro-biotics since your gut is where many of these nasty things take hold and devour the rest of your body. And, we are using our oils A LOT! Every night at bedtime my boys each get Oregano on their feet, and in the mornings I've been applying it, when I can remember to. This has been keeping our bodies healthy and making us stinky. One of the Kindergarteners asked me "What smells so good?" when I dropped Mr. Gus off yesterday morning. I'm happy some people think Oregano smells good, I don't particularly care for it, but it is doing wonders for our bodies. In addition to be an anti-viral/anti-bacterial giant, Oregano also combats candida in the body.

Another biggie is going to bed on time. We're keeping everyone well rested in our family. Sleep is so important to your immune system. And, Water. Water is your friend. Drink a lot of it!

Make sure you do your own research, but the CDC shouldn't be your only source. There are many other places you can search for information on natural vaccines and natural flu shots. Google. And, please look into the effectiveness of the flu shot on your own. I personally think that with a 60% chance of still getting the flu, or rather, having to visit the doctor because your flu is so horrible, you should find some other resources.

If you get the flu, make sure you use your oils, it will shorten the length of your flu and ease your symptoms. If you aren't sure what to use, please message me, we can work together and make a plan.

The heat of summer is finally upon us. We've been running and biking and getting nice and sweaty but an oil that I love to use before any of these activities is my Peppermint Oil. I put a bit on the back of my neck and the back of my legs before I head out on a run, bike ride, or even to the back porch some early eves. It is scorching season in MT - a handful of 100 degree days lately so we all need a little relief.

We just got home from a fantastic 5 days at Family Camp and boy did the oils come in handy. I packed my Citronella (which is a newer oil that Young Living now carries) as an insect repellent.

This oil did the trick for me. I'm not going to say I had no bug bites - that would be a fib - but I will confidently say that I was being bothered less than even those crazy Deet users at Camp. I love this oil! I used it in place of Purification, which I've used in all of my past 'oil using' summers. Purification has Citronella in it, along with other essentials, but there is something about the straight up Citronella that I love. I also feel good about giving my kids a fine coat of it in place of bug repellent. Remember - you don't need much of a Young Living Oil - a little goes a long long way. I put it in their hair, on their necks and backs and up and down their legs - making sure to cover their little bare ankles. I think ankles is the key - for some reason bugs LOVE ankles.

I also packed my Lavender, Eucalyptus Radiata and my Purification to apply post-bug attack. I used Lavender the most - Simon would wake up with an itchy bug bite and the Lavender was what he asked for. That might just be my very favorite thing about Essential Oils - I can use them with my kids, they work, and they are learning how to use them as they grow up. I love that I can send them off, on their own someday, with a toolkit of essential oils to use when I'm not right there with them.

Other oils that I don't leave home without are Di-Gize (belly aches can crop up at any moment), PanAway (growing pains seem to show face after a hard day of playing), the Deep Relief Roller for pains and aches, and then I just fill the mini-case up with other things I think my family might need. Don't forget that Lavender is great for sunburns and burns - just make sure you don't mistake Lavender for Lavendin - that will worsen your burns.

Off to a summer party this eve...never a dull moment.

Special this month - From July 1-31, place an order of 185 PV and receive 15-ml Lavender, Lavender Hand and Body Lotion, and Lavender Foaming Hand Soap free—a retail value of $69.41.

I'm back. I've been busting my hump for the past several months. Remember my little store...well it grew a bit...and so did the time I spend in the colorful land of Walking Stick Toys, hence the lack of blog posts. I've decided to incorporate a post into each month (start small) and work my way back up to where I'd like to be.

Holy smokes I have so much to share. I have brand new spring allergies this year! Isn't that exciting? I'm not sure what I'm allergic to but it is something in the sweet Montana air. I don't recall ever being plagued by such things before but I've had a wicked go of it this year. The magical cure seems to be Eucalyptus Radiata and Peppermint Oil. I kind of prefer the Eucalyptus at night, Peppermint really gets a girl going, so I use Eucalyptus before bed and Peppermint during the day. Heat has also been a key element. The heat really moves things around. In my head is where the pressure resides, well there, and behind my eyes.

The reason I chose Eucalyptus Radiata (over the other Eucalyptus options - of which there are plenty) is Eucalyptus Radiata is a safe Euc for kids. And, totally effective for anyone using it.

It is hard to believe that all of the beautiful things happening in spring could cause upheaval in the human body.

Remember to stock up on your summertime oils. Peppermint (to cool you down), Purification (insect repellent), Lavender (for sunburns), Eucalyptus Radiata (for allergies and bee stings). We stock some of the Young Living line in the storefront at Walking Stick now if you happen to live in the Missoula area. Come see us or call us and we'll ship whatever (where ever) your heart desires. 406-543-1179.

There are handful of new oils that Young Living has just recently start providing. German Chamomile is one of them that I'm super excited about, but I decided I'd focus on these other two before I delve into the Chamomile world again.

One quick photo of my kids and some of their sweetest friends on a colorful day in Missoula. I love living here so much!

And we love carrots!

Carrot Seed oil is a new oil that Young Living now offers. It is one of my new favorites. I decided to combine Celery Seed and Carrot Seed into one post simply to let you know that both are now offered through Young Living. Carrot Seed and Celery Seed are both amazing liver cleansers. They can be taken internally - in a capsule or as a dietary supplement. I always like to make sure I explain that I am by no means a medical professional and I am not giving medical advice, simply discussing ways to use these oils in your life and ways that I love to use oils for myself and my family...so....

If you have a congested liver, maybe you want some carrot seed or celery seed?

Carrot seed essential oil can also be used externally. You can simply rub oil on the location of your liver (right side under your rib cage). Your liver is where you store anger, if you aren't able to release anger your liver could be in 'need of this seed.'

Carrot seed has been traditionally used for kidney and digestive disorders. It is an antiparasitic, antiseptic, depurative, diuretic, and a vasodilatory. It is an amazing oil for your skin - mix a bit in with your facial cream - this might be just the ticket to smoothing wrinkles and a regeneration tool. It is an oil that is best suited for normal or dry skin. My sweet friend Anna at Apothecary Esthetics uses this oil in a serum she created, if you need/want a facial I highly recommend you go here. It is a wonderful tool if you are retaining water. Carrot seed is a detoxifyer and can aid in detoxifying your blood, tissues, muscles and internal organs.

Young Living has a much more eloquent description of this oil: 'Carrot seed (Daucus carota) essential oil has a mildly sweet aroma with earthy, herbaceous hints. Traditionally, it has been used for digestive complaints due to its tonic properties. This oil also has historical use in aromatherapy for joint conditions.'

This oil is steam distilled from dried carrot seeds and it smells the way my hands do after I dig those buggers out of my garden. I am pretty into it...and I just got it a week ago. It comes in a 5 ml bottle and more info can be found here.

Celery Seed is also helpful in digestion, liver cleansing, and urinary tract support. Both of these oils are diuretics increasing urination, each time you urinate you are ridding your body of toxins. Celery seed is also said to increase milk flow in nursing mothers. It is an antibacterial, antioxidant, and antirheumatic as well. It can be used for arthritis/rheumatism and should be taken internally (diluted) to reduce physical discomforts.

If you'd like more information about these oils please contact me, but you can also find the link to Celery Seed here. Pricing varies depending upon membership. I am always happy to include your oils on my monthly order. My next order processes on the 7th of December, but I can order before then if the need arises.

The holidays are right around the corner and I will be hosting an Oil Open House with some products for sale that night...date to be determined.

If anyone would like to book a holiday party Young Living has a lot of fun things in their seasonal catalog this year, available for a limited time only and those items makes delicious gifts for anyone on your list. A generous gift will be given to each party host/hostess.

I got a message today from a fellow Young Living Oil Lover and I asked if it was okay to share. I got the go ahead and although it is brief I think you can read between the lines. We've been chatting and finding oils that resonate well with this person for several months and success stories like this make my day, week and month!

"I can't even begin to tell you the impact these oils have made on my life. I have been prescription free since April...I haven't been able to say that in almost 4 years. I never ever would have thought that something natural would help me battle depression and anxiety so well. I do still have some hard days but I wouldn't call them bad anymore. I know now that I can make it through with the oils and not have to take something that is just going to make me fall asleep so that I don't have to deal with whatever the problem may be. Thank you for always taking the time to respond and help me learn more about this."

The photo of something beautiful today is a snip of sky on a crisp fall day in Missoula.

Whatever the season your kids have unique needs and feelings. In lieu of the back to school season I thought in addition to my Thieves plug I would talk about oils for your child's well being. I will speak from the experiences I've had with my kids as well as using friends' experiences. Environmental situations can be factored in depending on where you may reside, we live in Montana and fire season is in full force...which presents another list of oils that may be handy for kids sensitive to the smoke. Maybe your child has asthma - then you probably want some R.C., Pine and Eucalyptus Radiata on hand. Holy - we have some fires rollin' around here...

Speaking in general (on a daily basis), our kids are all individuals and have their very own unique needs and feelings, but there are ways we can support those feelings and needs and incorporate our Young Living Essential Oils. For example I have many friends with kiddos that may be a bit more spirited than others and they swear that using Peace & Calming and Valor before school in the morning or before bed at night makes a big difference in the day to day events in their children's' lives. This combo helps their children stay more focused during class time and have less struggles in general. It could be the calming effect of the oils, it could be the confidence that Valor brings, it is impossible to say as every child is very different. In our house, Valor is applied to my oldest kiddo (along his spine) most nights at bedtime. I can see a difference in his security when we don't go through the routine of talking about what the oil can help him with and when we don't spend time rubbing it on his back at night. Again - it could be the act of rubbing his back and talking that is actually what brings him to that comfortable space, but I like the idea of a delicious smelling oil added to our ritual to really help find a balance within. And, since I use this particular oil on myself when I'm feeling a bit scattered or hormones seem to be raging, and it works for me, I cherish being able to share that bit of love with my kids. I feel great about being able to share these things with my kids when they are so little and through their childhoods so as they grow up and decide maybe they don't need to live with me anymore (crazy I know) I can send them into the big world with healthy tools to work through their problems and comforts in essential oil form. I also hope these coping tools will keep them entirely away from the pills that are ever so available in society today. Drug companies are NOT my favorite.

Staying healthy doesn't just mean steering clear of germs - it encompasses mental health and the good mental health of my kiddos is aided dramatically by oils. I firmly believe that good mental health and expression of feelings is a must in order to stay healthy in every sense. If your child is stressed, lacks sleep, experiences trauma, and is uncomfortable in situations presented to them they are going to be much more likely to become sick (germ sick) on a regular basis. My sweet friend Kris actually asked me if I would write a tiny blurb about good oils for kids last winter and I guess this would be..."it." Feeleez (created by friends in our community - Kris included) can be great resource for you when working with your kids and their feelings and just relating to them, on their level, on a daily basis.

Then we get to boo boos, owies, wounds - whatever you might call them in your abode. My kids cry for oils whenever they fall down and get hurt. That is the first request, oils, then bandaids. Of course the human contact and snuggles that come with the application of oils and bandaids is the first thing they really need. Lavender is great for bruising, so maybe the skin doesn't break but there is a good sized goose egg starting, rub a tiny bit of Lavender on there and the bruise will not show face. Burns need lavender too, Young Living Lavender that is. Some other manufacturers put lavendin in their lavender which contains camphor so be careful what you use. Purification is great for open cuts and scrapes, according to Simon and Gus it doesn't even sting. The rest of the first aid kit needs can be found here. My kids ask for oils first because they know that oils help them to feel better, the big bonus is they heal physical wounds too. Mentally, a dose of Lavender has an amazing calming effect, you could use other oils in place of Lavender like Roman Chamomile, White Angelica, the list goes on. I can't tell you which oils will work best in your family, the real gems. There may be oils that resonate better than others for your kids. Trial and error is my recommendation. Most likely you'll just have a cabinet full of oils to sooth, energize and make your kiddo's life positive.

The brain receptors that are touched by smell are precious throughout life and in those first years of life I feel good about packing my kids with positive smells to help ease pain, and heal. Simon's very favorite oil is Sandalwood and he loves it so much that we have it in his room on his dresser, his very own bottle, and before I even knew of the scientific benefits of this particular oil I knew Simon needed it in his life on a regular basis. He craved it, he craved the time we spent together putting it on. Gus craves citrus oils and they are oils that are very uplifting to the spirit so it just really all makes sense to me. They make him feel happy. They know what they need and I'm so excited to share it with them. These oils make me feel happy, they really make everyone in our family happier. This makes me even more excited for our cozy fall and winter months.

I better stop here, I don't want to be too long winded, probably too late.

Just a reminder - I'm always happy to do oil parties and we could even have a kid-friendly oil party if anyone out there so desires. This month if you purchase 215PV or more you get a free Valor and free Joy - both amazing oils for the entire family!

Our summer has been amazing, a trip to Mexico in May, a trip to New Orleans in June, a trip to the Midwest in July and we are finally home to enjoy the last few weeks of summertime. We have spent almost every second in the backyard since our return. Montana summer is the best - not many bugs to speak of - cool nights - kiddie pool, water balloons and a sprinkler and we are happy campers!

The bugs in Wisconsin and Minnesota were horrid which has inspired me to repost this amazing bug repellent recipe. If you don't have the ingredients and want them, let me know, I will hook you up.

School time is rapidly approaching...

I have drifted during the summer months from my monthly oil posts and honestly I use my oils less frequently during the summer months as they are less needed. I find that I start laying them on pretty "thick" this time of year as my kiddos go back to school, fall sets in and more germs are passing through our world. I decided for August rather than an official 'oil of the month' I would revisit Thieves Essential Oil and talk about the Thieves line of products.

Why is Thieves Oil important to have on hand during the fall/winter months?

Colds and flus are most often contracted during this time of year and this oil is more than 95% effective in fighting viruses, that's right I said viruses.

It fights bacteria.

It works both pro-actively and retro-actively. If you are using it preventatively you don't want to use it every single day (take a day off every few days). If you are already sick it will shorten the length of your illness as well as the intensity of your symptoms.

It smells delightful, and it can be diffused and still have the same amazing benefits. It will kill viruses and bacteria floating in your air.

This list goes on and on but I will just direct you the handy booklet Young Living created and you can delve into more benefits there.

I should mention this oil is a blend of 5 oils: Rosemary, Clove, Lemon, Eucalyptus Radiata and Cinnamon. I don't dilute this oil when using it with my kids. I tend to put it only on their feet so dilution isn't really needed (my kids are 4 and 6). I dilute it a bit if I apply to their chests. It can be a bit hot, so if you get into a situation where it seems to be too much heat simply grab some olive oil or V-6 and apply over the top and all will be well in seconds. Water is not a good way to dilute oil - water will intensify your oil. This oil wouldn't be good in the bathtub, especially for kiddos.

I use several of these products on a daily basis - the Thieves Foaming Hand Soap is a big favorite of mine. We have it at every sink in our house. I buy the refill when our dispensers run out and simply do a 1/2 water 1/2 concentrate mixture to fill them right back up. (Please remember the pricing varies if you are a member - you get 24% off of the retail price.)

To clean the rest of my house I often use the Thieves Household Cleanser. It too is concentrated so you dilute it with water and it really goes a long way. I used it to disinfect the office at my store today. I use it in the bathroom, kitchen, on windows, toilets, pretty much everywhere I can think of and it smells delightful.

For our mouths I like to use the Thieves Mouthwash and Dental Floss. I have the toothpaste but honestly am not a huge fan so I tend to use it when my other toothpaste runs out. I have friends that love it and reorder it every month or two. And believe it or not thisspray is one of my favorite things to spray in my mouth if I have a sore throat or feel like I'm coming down with something. I know it says that is best used on doorknobs and toilet seats but I put it right down my throat (numbs it right up) and on my tongue. IT WORKS! I don't put it in my kids' mouths, I'm pretty sure they would think I was torturing them. I use it several times a day when I'm coming down with something and drink a bit of Emergen-c and I stop sick right in its tracks, it has worked so many times I can't even keep track anymore.

Oooh and I don't want to forget about the hand purifier. This stuff is amazing, it doesn't have that strong alcohol scent that many other hand sanitizers have - it has Peppermint in it. It smells delightful. I keep it in my car, office, bag, and bring it with me on the airplane when we fly. If you get the three pack then you can have them in a mess of handy locations.

There is a 'Start Living with Thieves (Enrollment Kit)' and this might be just the way for you to tackle the fall/winter months and get your membership up and running. For anyone deciding to take this route this month and sign up for Essential Rewards I will give you a free bottle of Thieves Essential Oil. That is a screamin' deal, if I don't say so myself.

Another thing I ought to mention is that if you order 200PV or more during the month of August you get a free Essential 7 Kit and that will arm you well for the fall/winter months and give you something other than Thieves to fill your medicine cabinet (toolkit). This kit has Lavender, Peppermint, Lemon, PanAway, Joy, Peace & Calming and Purification in it.

Gear up for a good healthy fall/winter and get your medicine cabinet stocked with essential oils that will keep you healthy this winter. And a quick reminder, the brand of oil you are purchasing is very important - you want purity and you can find it with these oils!

About Mama Loves Oils

I'm a Montana Mama of two boys (Simon and August). I'm also married to a gem of a dude (Shane). I thought I'd try to take some time out, as often as possible, to blog about one of the passions in my life, Young Living Essential Oils. I use them daily and I use them […]more →